Kerala Speaker’s remark on Lord Ganesh sparks massive protests

Observers say even cadres of CPI (M) are angry with Speaker AN Shamseer over his demeaning remarks on the Hindu deity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM | Updated: 03 August, 2023 2:59 pm IST

Nair Service Society (NSS) taking out march to oppose AN Shamseer's remarks.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversy over Kerala Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer’s comments about Hindu deity Lord Ganesha has escalated into a full-fledged confrontation between a section of believers and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Protests have intensified in several parts of the state as Shamseer and the CPI (M) don’t sign of remorse or willingness to apologise for the objectionable comments.

On Wednesday, the influential Nair Service Society (NSS) took out ‘Namajapa Yathra’ processions in all 14 districts, where believers carried the deity Ganesha and performed puja in temples.

In his defence, Shamseer has said that he never intended to insult Hindu beliefs, arguing that he was merely trying to promote scientific temperament among children, echoing the principles laid out in the Indian Constitution.

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At a public function in Ernakulam, the Speaker referred to Lord Ganesha as a myth and criticized the Central government for allegedly promoting false knowledge among students though textbooks stating that Lord Ganesha’s head, resembling an elephant trunk, was formed as part of plastic surgery.

Nair Service Society’s (NSS) procession against AN Shamseer’s remarks on Lord Ganesha.

NSS secretary Sukumaran Nair demanded an apology from Shamseer, stating that he should not be allowed to continue in his current position without acknowledging the hurt caused to believers.

The BJP and Congress leadership also criticized Shamseer’s comments, calling them insensitive and demanded an apology.

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Political observers say that this incident and the public outrage could have implications for the CPI (M) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as a significant section of believers within the party is dissatisfied with his remarks.

The politics unfolding in the state over his comments bears all signs of the unrest which was at display in 2018 following the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke the ban on the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple. The Left government’s stance on facilitating the entry of two women into the temple resulted in massive protests across Kerala and was believed to have contributed to the LDF’s loss of 19 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state.